Saudi Arabia said Friday it has halted a $3 billion program for military supplies to Lebanon in protest against Hezbollah group fighting in support of Syria's army.
Hezbollah dismissed accusations that its policies were behind a Saudi decision to halt military aid to Lebanon, attributing Riyadh's move to the kingdom's “severe financial crisis.”
“The Saudi decision on halting financial aid to the army and security forces has not surprised anyone in Lebanon at all,” Hezbollah said in a statement as reported by Egypt-based Naharnet.
“The entire world, especially the Lebanese and the local and global financial institutions, know very well that Saudi Arabia is suffering from a severe financial crisis due to the hefty expenditure on its evil aggression against brotherly Yemen, and also due to the drop in oil prices in the global market, which Saudi Arabia itself has orchestrated,” the party added.
“Holding Hezbollah responsible for the Saudi decision because of its political and media stances in support for brotherly Yemen, Bahrain's aggrieved people and other people reeling under the fire of Saudi terrorism is a failed attempt that no sane person can believe,” it said.
The party also hit back at Lebanese officials who held it responsible for the crisis.